Learn to sail in austin, on lake travis

Build Real Skills. Gain Real Confidence. Sail for Real.

Learning to sail isn’t about memorizing terms or watching from the sidelines.
It’s about time on the water, hands on the lines, and learning how a boat actually moves and responds.

My Learn to Sail in Austin program is a hands-on, skills-forward sailing experience on Lake Travis, designed for beginners and early-stage sailors who want a strong foundation—and the confidence to keep going. Whether you’re brand new to sailing or ready to move beyond casual outings, this program meets you where you are and builds from there.

What This Program Is

This is instructional sailing, not a boat ride.

You’ll actively participate from the start—steering, trimming sails, handling lines, and learning how to think like a sailor. Each session blends practical instruction with real-world application, so you’re not just learning what to do, but why it matters.

We focus on:

  • Building comfort and confidence on the water

  • Understanding how sailboats move and respond

  • Developing good habits early—safety, awareness, and communication

  • Creating a strong foundation for future certifications or cruising goals

What You’ll Learn

Core Sailing Skills

You’ll learn the fundamentals that every capable sailor needs:

  • Points of sail and sail trim

  • Steering and basic boat handling

  • Wind awareness and sail shape

  • Tacking, jibing, and sail controls

  • Basic knot tying and line handling

Seamanship & Safety

I prioritize smart, confident decision-making:

  • Onboard safety practices

  • Situational awareness and communication

  • Understanding conditions and when to adjust

  • Learning to stay calm and in control on the water

Confidence at the Helm

From your first session, you’ll spend real time at the helm, learning how to feel the boat and make adjustments with intention—not guesswork.

How Training Works

Sessions take place on Lake Travis, offering consistent conditions that are ideal for learning. Instruction is kept small-group or one-on-one, so you get meaningful coaching and plenty of hands-on time.

Training can be:

  • A starting point for continued skill development

  • A refresher for sailors returning after time away

  • The foundation for NauticEd certifications and rank progression

Full Day (6 hours)

What's Included
$475/Day
  • Professional Private Instruction & Sailboat
  • Healthy Lunch & Snacks
  • Water (bring a refillable water bottle)
  • Safety gear, including auto-inflate PFD
Schedule Your Sailing Session

Who This Program Is For

  • Complete beginners ready to learn the right way

  • New sailors who want confidence, not just exposure

  • Adults who prefer learning by doing

  • Anyone curious about sailing but unsure where to start

Who This Is Not For

  • Those looking for a passive sightseeing sail

  • Anyone expecting classroom-only instruction

  • Sailors wanting a fast-track certification without practice

The Outcome

By the end of this program, you’ll:

  • Understand how a sailboat works

  • Feel comfortable taking the helm

  • Know how to trim sails and respond to wind changes

  • Have the confidence to continue sailing with purpose

This is where sailing stops feeling intimidating—and starts feeling possible.

Please note: this session and instruction does not include the cost of any NauticEd online courses (optional)

Ready to Learn to Sail for Real?

If you’re ready to get out on the water, build real skills, and see whether sailing is something you want to pursue further, this is where it starts. You can schedule your first session NOW!

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What students say about working with me

★★★★★

Emily is an awesome instructor! Over my 3 days spent with her, I feel that my skills and abilities increased dramatically. Moreover, I feel my confidence grew! Emily created a comfortable, safe environment for learning where I was able to safely grow. I highly recommend Emily to anyone learning to sail or up their abilities!

Morgan

Athlete

★★★★★

Emily was great from getting the charter organized to ensuring we had opportunities to practice, improve, and hone our skills during the week. Feedback was clear, consistent, fair, and directive with suggestions and examples given for demonstrating desired skills in subsequent days/exercises. I would highly recommend NauticEd instruction to anyone truly interested in advancing in the sport and accelerating learning.

Jackie

Private Instruction & Assessment, BVI Charter